Banking
CIBN to Revamp Banking Practice in Nigeria With A-TEAM Initiative

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A strategic initiative aimed to revamp banking practice in Nigeria has been introduced by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
The new plan with the acronym A-TEAM means Accelerated Development; Technology and Digital Enhancement; Engagement for Growth; Accountability and Transparent Leadership and Membership Drive for Value.
As part of efforts for its successful implementation, the CIBN is seeking collaborations with financial institutions in the country.
Recently, the President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Mr Bayo Olugbemi, visited Ecobank Nigeria and he said the A-TEAM initiative will benefit stakeholders in the banking sector.
He applauded Ecobank’s consistent support for the institute over the years to ensure the realisation of its mandate of determining the standards of knowledge and skills development for those seeking to become members of the banking profession.
“We applaud Ecobank Academy as the first corporate member to become a member of the Global Business School Network and for the consistent support for the realisation of the institute’s mandate of determining the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the banking profession.
“We, therefore, seek Ecobank’s collaboration and enlistment in our Endowment/Prize Awards in any subject of interest; support towards the renovation of Abuja Bankers’ House; support for the establishment of banking museum by donating artefacts and other relevant materials; and to participate actively in training programmes of the institute,” Mr Olugbemi said.
Further, he congratulated Ecobank Nigeria and the Ecobank Group on winning several International awards, which includes the Best Retail Bank in Nigeria by Asian Banker; Africa’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility by Euromoney (Ecobank Group); African Bank of the Year (African Banker); Innovation in Financial Services Award from African Banker (Ecobank Group); EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2020.
Responding, the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan, pledged more support and collaboration with the institute, restating that Ecobank will continue to contribute to the efforts of the organisation to become top class and remain relevant globally.
“For us at Ecobank, we are extremely proud CIBNs efforts at ensuring public discourse on the future of the Nigeria economy and the banking and finance industry.
“This is not in isolation of the ethics, professionalism, accountability, transparency, good corporate governance without losing focus of harnessing the opportunities technology has provided in the new world order. Be assured of our maximum support and collaboration at all times,” he said.
Mr Akinwuntan also identified with the efforts of the institute to raise the bar of competency and capacity building in the industry, stressing that with sound professional conduct, every banker will be held in high esteem.
He said Ecobank was working assiduously to ensure a majority of its staff become members of the institute, adding that the bank will also provide more mentees and mentors in its mentorship programme.
“We have a medium to long term programme to ensure all Ecobank Nigeria staff become chartered members of the institute.
“At Ecobank, we take human capacity development very seriously. Some of our staff that wrote the last examinations are now chartered members of the Institute.
“We will also ensure bulk subscription of our staff. We will be nominating 30 mentors and 100 mentees to participate in the second mentorship programme,” he assured.
Banking
GTCO Distributes 3,000 Gas Cylinders to Obafemi Owode Residents

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 3,000 residents of the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have been given a unit each of a 3kg gas cylinder by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc under its Waste for Gas initiative launched recently.
The cooking tool was distributed mostly to women in the community after conducting thorough assessments by visiting beneficiaries’ homes to ensure that the support reached those who genuinely needed it.
The financial institution said the items would provide access to gas-powered cooking solutions and simplify daily routines by freeing up time for other productive activities that support financial stability.
It expressed optimism that the cooking gas cylinder will make a meaningful impact in the community and enhance the quality of life for households.
“The Waste for Gas initiative is about making life easier for families, giving them more time to focus on important activities such as education, work, or personal development.
“Beyond this, our goal is to continuously develop sustainable initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and contribute to socioeconomic growth,” the chief executive of GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje said.
Also, the Chief Communication Officer of GTCO, Ms Oyinade Adegite, said, “We visited various households across the local government and were surprised to find that some residents had already gone borrowing from money lenders just to afford gas cylinders, while some others were considering doing the same.”
She urged beneficiaries to use the cylinders for their intended purpose and not resell them, adding that GTCO would return for the second phase of the program. The bank’s decision to expand the initiative would depend on how well the items are utilized.
Expressing gratitude for the initiative, Obafemi Owode Local Government Chairman, Mr Ogunsola Adesina, stated that the intervention would significantly improve the standard of living in the area.
He also appealed to GTCO to establish a branch within the community to alleviate the banking challenges residents currently face.
In his remarks, the Olu of Owode-Egba, Mr Kolawole Aremu Sowemimo, advised beneficiaries not to sell the gas cookers and assured them that discussions were underway to establish discounted gas refill stations within the community.
Additionally, the Iyaloja General, Mrs Ganiyat Oyelakin, cautioned beneficiaries to use the gas cookers safely to prevent accidents. Residents were also educated on the proper handling and maintenance of their gas cylinders.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Risikat Ayoka, thanked GTCO for the initiative, saying, “We are excited. This gesture will make us stop using firewood for cooking.”
Banking
Union Bank, ICAN Explore Potential Areas of Collaboration

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The managements of Union Bank of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) are looking at ways to join forces for growth.
Recently, the executives of ICAN were at the head office of the financial institution tucked in the iconic Stallion Plaza in Lagos.
This visit underscores ICAN and Union Bank’s mutual commitment to advancing the accounting profession and contributing to the overall growth of Nigeria’s financial sector.
The president of ICAN, Mr Davidson C.S Alaribe, appreciated the warm reception and highlighted the importance of such engagements in promoting professional excellence and ethical standards within the accounting and finance sectors.
In his remarks, the Chief Financial Officer of Union Bank, Mr Oluwagbenga Adeoye, emphasised the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the professional development of accountants and ICAN members.
Banking
Senate Accuses CBN of Stalling N30trn Ways and Means, ABP Investigations

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Ways and Means Advance has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of frustrating its investigation into the N30 trillion Ways and Means Advance and the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The committee made the accusation after receiving an interim report from its consultants at a meeting where they expressed frustration over the central bank’s failure to provide crucial documents required for the probe.
The panel, which was inaugurated a year ago by Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, stated that the delay has significantly stalled progress on the investigation.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Isah Jibrin, criticised the CBN for withholding vital information, despite multiple requests, revealing major infractions with the preliminary reports of the lender.
He dismissed speculations that the Senate had been compromised or gone to sleep, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
“The information we have here is not different from what we have heard all along. What we did was to hand over the documents to the consultants, and when the consultants made available to us this interim report, our intention was to hold onto the interim report on the final report,” he told reporters.
“But we’ve been compelled to make available this interim report to the general public so that they know that we let them know where the problem is, and the problem is that the Central Bank of Nigeria has denied us consistently the documents that we need to complete this assignment. That is the truth.
“It was at the CBN sometimes, I met Bala the deputy governor. And they promised, but nothing came out of it. The Clerk has been there several times. Nothing has come out of it.
“The consultants themselves even took it upon themselves to go with CBN directly, because we introduced them to CBN and nothing has come out of it.”
The committee issued a strong warning to the CBN representatives, emphasizing the need for full disclosure of how the funds were utilized to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
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